A third of families in Connacht and Ulster worry about not being able to provide food for their children.
That's according to new survey carried out by Amarach Research on behalf of children's charity Barnardo's and grocery retailer Aldi.
It found 49% of parents in Connacht and Ulster have in the past cut back spending in areas such as gas, electricity, transport and medical bills so as to be able to afford food.
This rose to 62% among those not working, including homemakers throughout the entire country.
The research says three in 10 people in the country have witnessed food poverty firsthand while 7% of those looking after their children in Connacht and Ulster skip meals in an average week.
Susanne Connolly, CEO of Barnardos, says the situation is taking a huge emotional toll on people.
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